Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has voiced his concerns about the ongoing turmoil at Old Trafford, echoing the frustrations of the club’s supporters.
In an interview with the BBC, the 72-year-old business magnate did not hold back in his assessment of the squad, stating that some players do not deserve to be at the club, while others are being overpaid despite underperforming.
Ratcliffe, who secured a 28.94% stake in United for £1.3bn in 2024, now oversees the club’s football operations following INEOS’ takeover from the Glazers.
Addressing United’s current struggles—where they sit a disappointing 14th in the Premier League—Ratcliffe acknowledged the financial difficulties looming over the club. His remarks came just a day after a wave of protests from fans demanding better leadership, as he warned that the club was on the brink of running out of funds by the end of the year.
What Did Sir Jim Ratcliffe Say About Manchester United?
Ratcliffe pointed out the recruitment decisions made before his arrival, emphasizing the burden of inherited signings.
“If you look at the players we are buying this summer, that we didn’t buy, we’re buying Antony, we’re buying Casemiro, we’re buying Onana, we’re buying Hojlund, we’re buying Sancho. These are all things from the past, whether we like it or not, we’ve inherited those things and have to sort that out. For Sancho, who now plays for Chelsea and we pay half his wages, we’re paying £17m to buy him in the summer. It takes time for us to move away from the past into a new place in the future.”
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He also spoke about the situation of Manchester United board and Ruben Amorim following the current form of the team.
“A long list of injuries had hampered a coach who arrived mid-season into a tough league and with English as his second language. If I actually look at the squad which is available to Ruben, I think he is doing a really good job to be honest. I think Ruben is an outstanding young manager. I really do. He’s an excellent manager and I think he will be there for a long time. You are beginning to see a glimpse of what Ruben can produce. I think you saw a glimpse of it against Arsenal. How many players against Arsenal on the bench did you recognise? How many have ever worn a Manchester United shirt for [the first team]… as there’s no squad left. We are down to the last 10 or 11 men in the squad really, of proper first-team players. Ruben is doing a super job.”
As Manchester United navigates through this challenging period, fans will hope for stability and progress under the new leadership.